Two northern Wisconsin legislators have unveiled a proposal they say is designed to protect homeonwers rights. State Senator Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst and Representative Adam Jarchow of Balsam Lake Wednesday presented the "Homeowners Bill of Rights".
Tiffany says the goal is to give homeowners more protection....
"....if you look at the national statistics from the Home Builders Association, 25 percent of a homeowners cost is regulatory. We need good regulations, but we also want to make home ownership affordable, and that is what we're addressing with this concept paper...."
Tiffany says among the ten points are controlling property taxes, eminent domain reform, broadband access, energy security and affordability, and regulatory takings of property. Tiffany cites one example from the Northwoods...
"....where a lakes association has proposed private property sweeps in order to address aquatic invasives. Aquatic invasive are a very important issue, but I think there needs to be a balance there when some people start talking about doing private property sweeps. That, to me, has a very chilling sound to it...."
He says they held the press conference in Representative Jarchow's district where a property owner there is in a dispute with a local government. The local government is using eminent domain to divide up a person's property, Tiffany says, for a walking and biking trail. He questions using eminent domain in this manner. Among other provisions is strengthening a property owners rights regarding warrantless searches by law enforcement. More information is on Senator Tiffany's website.
